Tupac Shakur’s family and friends joined together to honor him posthumously with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Wednesday. The rapper’s sister Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur accepted the award, while radio personality Big Boy emceed the event.
“He defied the distinction between art and activism,” Big Boy said at the start of the ceremony. “Though his career lasted just five years, Tupac Shakur remains one of the most complex and prolific artists of his generation with over 75,000 records sold worldwide.”
Tupac’s sister stepped up to the podium and began speaking through tears.
“From the first time he stepped foot on this stage of the Apollo Theater at 13 years old, before anyone recognized his name, he knew he had the dream to have a star here on the walk of fame,” she said.
“Today we’re not just honoring a star in the ground, but we’re honoring the work and the passion that he’s put into making his dreams come true. His heavenly star will shine a little brighter today. And once again, he has made us all extremely proud. We love you, Tupac,” Shakur finished.
It’s the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s 2,758th star and this one will be added under the recording category, organizers said.
Big Boy went on to list Tupac’s career accomplishments in music and films. He cited two museum exhibits recently dedicated to the star: “All Eyez on Me” at the Grammy Museum from 2015-2016, and “Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free.” at L.A. Live in 2022.
Guest speakers including Allen Hughes and Jamal Joseph, director and executive producer for “Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur,” an FX docuseries released in April focusing on Tupac’s relationship with his mother, Afeni Shakur, spoke at the ceremony Wednesday.
“How fitting in the year of hip hop’s 50th anniversary that the art form’s most transcendent star is finally being placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Hughes said as he took the podium. “Tupac Amaru Shakur has become a global symbol of rebellion – a symbol as visible and important as Malcolm X and Che Guevara and an inspiration to activists today.”Hughes added:
“Indeed the entire world feels Tupac’s message. Not so bad for a little Black boy from Harlem, right?”
The ceremony kicked off at 10:30 a.m. local time on June 7 on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles
Tupac was a rapper, actor, activist and poet. He was murdered in a drive-by shooting in September 1996.
“This iconic artist has continued to be part of the zeitgeist for decades after his passing and will continue to be an important cultural figure for many years to come,” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in a news release. “Surely, as one of L.A.’s own, Tupac’s star will be added to the list of most visited stars.
The rapper’s career lasted just five years but he has sold over 75 million records worldwide. His 1996 album “All Eyez on Me” was certified diamond and includes hits such as “How Do U Want It,” “California Love (Remix)” and “I Ain’t Mad at Cha.”
He was inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in April 2017 and a hologram of him took the stage at the 2012 Coachella Music and Arts Festival.
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